Bookbinding.



W. s. PROUDPIT, JR.-

I BOOKBINDING. 'APPLIUATION yFILED MAR. 13, 1905.

Patented May 17,1910.

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W. s. PROUDFIT, JR. BOOKBINDING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13, 1905.

958,170. v Patented May 17,1910.

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W. S. PROUDFIT, JR. BOOKBINDNG.

APPLIUATION FILED 111111.13, 1905;

958,170.4 Patented May 17, 1910.

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WILLIAM s'. PnoUDFI'r, JR., or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

To all whom 'timay concern: p

Beit known that I, WILLIAM S. PROUD- rrr, Jr., a 4citizen of the United States, re

sidin at Chicagoin the County of Cook' and tate of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful Bookbinding, of which the fol- .lowing is a specilication.y

My invention vrelates to. bindings for flat opening books generallyI andin particular to loose leaf books and the objects of my invention are, first, to hinge'the covers to the backs inl such 'manner that the back of the, leaves will be'forcedf away from the back* `when'the book 'is opened; second, to provide bearing and lifting strips between the edges of the covers and the-leaves; third, to make the back of the book interchangeable; fourth, to makethe leaf holding stripsof spring materiahfifth, to connect the leaf holding `strips "jdetachably to the covers; sixth, v to provide'fjmeans 'for adjusting. allr the leaf holdings'trips in unison without vadjusting either` of the covers or back;and other objects' to'become apparent from the descrip-` tion to follow.

Heretofor'e' the binding on books has been so made thatafter some use the covers would become separated from the bound book, ,and furthermorey the book. binding was very muchstrained/because the hook would not4 lie flat when opened. In loose leaf books as heretofore'made the pages would lie flat to only a certain deo'ree when opened; itwas 'difficult to assemble a complete book full of leaves; an adjustable back was required to ffprovide for.diEerent--lthicknesses of books Aand 4numerous other inconveniences were associated with their construction. By my in- `1 ventionall these objectionable features Xare rableand simple.

eliminated and the construction is both du- 'llo describe the construction andv opera tion vof my invention I have illustrated it on theaccompanying sheet of drawing forming a part of this specification in which Figure 1, is accross sectional view of a book partly broken awayv embodying my invention; Fig. 2, is axsimilar-viewshowing side View of the book shown in Fig. 1, partlyY the book in an open position; Fig. 3, isa

similar view showing the binding strips ad justed in a slack condition to ermit the ref moval of leave'sfrom the boo ;l Fig. 4, is a broken away Fig. 5, is an inside face view of one cover showingthe fastenings of the binding strips thereto; Fig. 6, isA a similar V i Specification of Letters Patent. application filed Maren 13, 1905;4 serial No. 249,936.

- BooKBIivnInef.-

Patented May 1'?, 1918.

view of the other cover binding strip adjusting mechanism; Fig. 7, is a detail of the binding strip adjusting mechanism; Fig. 8, is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 7 Fig. 9, is a sectional view showing a modification; Fig. 10, is a section showing another modication; Fig; 11', is a perspective view of still another modification and Fig.` 12, is a view showing theA notches in the leaves. Similar reference charactersrefer'to siinilarparts throughout the several views.

"The book comprises the/leaves 15, two

covers 16, and a back17 yThe covers 16 at their hinged edges are provided with or made. in the form of stiff plates 18 which are preferably metal, and these plates 18 are connected by leaf holdingsprings 19. One end of each lspring detachably secured to one plate 18 by av clamping block and screw 20, whilethe remaining' end of each spring 19 is secured in a similar way. to the bar 21, by the clamping blocks and -screws 22. When' the book is closed an intermediate portion'of the leaf holdingl springs 19 between the covers, lies in a curve toward the back of the book.` As the covers are opened .the secured endsof the )springs 19 swing with the covers, flexing the intermediate portion. of the springs away from the back ofthe book and forcing it to lie in a curve toward the yfrontof `thebook and in front of the plane of the covers when in alinement, at the place where the book is opened. The

away from the hinged edge of the cover l16 so asto lengthen or shorten that portion of the springs 19 lying between Vthe edges 'of the covers 16, and the springs 19 are held in position close tothe edge of the l.cover 16 by passing under guides 23 preferably formed by pressing up a tongue from the plate 18. The leaves 1:5" are providedwith as many T notches Qtin their edges as therev interposed between the binding edge of thel showing also the los;

plates 18 and the leaves 15. rlhe strips 26 90 bar 21 is arranged to bemoved toward and distance beyond the hinH held in d with "lo relieve i when the book is opened or closed the edges t9 from any strain he spriiA to extend a short c and as shown of the plato" bear in the angle of tha in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

rihe back .17 is not mechanically adjust vable but is preferably made of spring metal in one piece bent to conform to the curvature of the back of a book and is hinged to the plates 18 a short distance above the binding edges of the saine at L8, by a pin or rod 29 passing alternately through eyes or loops Vprovided on t-he covers a nd on sa id back. One end of the pin 29 may be screw-threaded to prevent its accidental removal. The back 17 is of such size as to normally cause some pressure against theplatos 13 at the hinges Q8 and therefore against the leaves 15. lVhen it is desired to inciease the thickness of the book beyond the extension of the spring lback 17, a larger back 17 is secured in place of the smaller one by the removal andreplacement of the pins 29. If a still greater increase in the thickness of the book is desired it maybe necessary to insert larger springs 19 by the removal and replacement of the fastenings 2O and 22 and securing a still larger back 17 in place.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that when assembling' a complete book7 the clamping blocks and screws E20 may be removed; the ends of the springs 19 being thus free can be pushed through the T notches in the wholepile of leaves 15 and then again secured in place by the fastening 40 20; this obviates the usual tedious work of placing one or two leaves into the book at a time.

It is very desirable to adjust all the arm terminating in a segment provided with teeth 37 which are in constant mesh with the Worm 38 which is mounted to rotate inbearings preferably secured to a portion of the plate 18. The longer arm of the bell-crank lever 35 is provided with an elongated hole 39 into which the pin 36 extends so thata movement of the bell-crank lever 35 about its pivot 36 will move the bar Q1. One end of the shaft carrying the worm 38 is made .oel-eri in. such adjusted ptsitiiei.

vly an examinatnw` of i. it will be .seen that the rovenl the hook are incnned to he pressed toward each other because o t the position of the hinges and the out ivard pressure exerted againstthe binding edges of the plates 18 b v the bound .edges of the leaves l5. "lhe bound edges of the leaves are' pre lerably made somewhat thicker than the balance of the leaves. By examining Fig. 2, it will be seen that the position of the hinges serves to decrease the distance between the bindingedges of plates 18 when the book is opened. and this resuls in the springs 19 being bent into a perceptible hump at the place of opening7 which causes the leaves to lay practically fiat. Fig. 3, shows how the springs 19 are forced up at the place of opening when they are adjusted for the removal or insertion of one'or more leaves 15. It will be seen that the distance between the hinges 28 is substantially always the same being determined by the size of the back 17. Toinsert or remove a leaf the book is opened at the desired place andthe bar 21 is removed toward the back Where a push Ais exerted against-thejadjustable ends of the springs 19 which causes said springs to loop up at the place where the book is opened as is clearly shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 9, shows a modified form designed for regular solid binding without the leaves being removable. The covers 16 are preferably secured to metal plates 18, but the springs 19 are preferably secured' to each cover 16 by any convenient means or by fastening previously described. The back l10 maybe either a spring back or a flexible back, and the springs 19'instead of passing through T notches in the leaves may be secured to the back of the leaves by pasting or otherwise. It Will be understood that in bindings of this kind the springs 19 need not be adjusted.

I am not aware that spring strips have been used for securing leaves in a solid binding before my invention and I therefore lay claim to such a construction broadly. By this construction the life of the book is greatly increased and the body lof the book will not break loose from thecovers since the connectionI is made by metal spring strips.

Fig. 10, shows a modified form of my in'- ventioinin the shape of' a file or throw-off.`

In this form no back is required but a means i for adjusting the springs 19 is used. The binding strips adjacent the two ,outer leaves may also be omitted.

In Fig. 11, is shown a modification in the form of a pocket memorandum book having removablev leaves. The back 41 may be either a spring or flexible back. Only two of the springs 19-are shown and but one may ebano shifted into properadjustmentby the hand and then is secured against lmovement by a thumb-nut 42. The bar 21 is provided with means forguiding its movement so that the springs 19 are equally adjusted.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by. Letters Patent of the United States is -l. In 'a book binding, stiff plates integral with the covers and forming their binding edge, a spring back-hinged to said plates l some distance from their free binding edges,

andA le'afholding springs secured to said plates extending between the edges of said plates.

2'. In a book binding, stiff plates integral with the covers and forming `their binding edge, a removable back hinged to said plates some distance from their free binding edges,

leaf'holding springs secured to,said plates extending between the edges ofsaid plates and bearing strips loosely mounted on said snrings interposed between the edges of said p ates and the leaves of the book.

BQIn a1 .book binding, two coveis con'` iiected ,by leaf holding springs, a bar adjustably secured to one cover, a guide secured to said cover-whereby said bar is re tained parallel to the binding edge of said cover and is permitted `to move toward and away from said binding edge, one end of each of said springs secured to onecover andthe remaining end of each of said springs secured to said bar.

" 4:. In a book binding, stiff plates integral with the covers Vand forming their binding edge, a back hinged to said plates some distance from their free bindingV edge, leafliolding springs secured to said plates extending between the edges of said plates,A

and the binding edge of. each of said plates being so bent that the binding force will be exerted against the leaves in front of a line through said leaf holding springs.

5. In a book binding, two covers conneeted by Aa plurality of leaf holding springs, oneend of each spring secured to one cover and the remaining end of each spring ad- Ljustably securedto the other cover, and

means for simultaneously adjusting said springs comprising a bar guided to move in one direction', a bell-crank lever arm loosely connected to said bar, and a worm meshing with a segmental. gear provided `on one arm ofsaid bell crank lever.

(i. InI a book binding', a back, covers hinged to said back, leaf holding springs secured to said covers havingan intermediate portion extending between said covers,

andmeans for adjusting the length of such intermediate portion lwithout displacing the covers or back comprisinga bar guided to move toward and away from the binding V tends.

edge of the cover and be retained 'in a positionparallel to said binding edge.

. "7. In a loose leaf book binding, -a front and back' cover provided with a stiff binding edge, a back hinged to said covers near their binding edges, a leaf holding spring strip connected to the covers. extending between the binding edges of said covers and means for increasing the length of said spring strip .between the binding edges of the. covers by exerting a push on the en'd of said strip to permit of attach-ing and detaching leaves to and fromsaid strip.

8. 'A bok binding, comprising a front and back cover hinged to a solid non-adjustable back, leaf holding springs, and

-means for exerting a push on the ends of said springstherebyl increasing the length 'said leafholding strips and a separate bearingkstrip being inteiposed between the binding edges ofsaid covers `,and the leaves.

10. LIn a book, the combination of the covers; an intermediate connecting means, having flexible connections fwith the covers and connecting them; a leaf holding strip at* tached to the covers, and bridging the space -between the saine arranged toA curve toward the 4back of the book as vthe covers are closed and to assume an opposite curve as the covers are opened; and means for relieving the strain on said leaf holding strip when the coversare moved comprising bent binding edges on said covers cooperating with an angular bearing strip provided with slots through which said leaf holding strip Vexll. In a book, the combination of the covers; an intermediate connecting means having flexible connections with the covers and connecting them, a strip secured to said cov,- ers and bridgingthe space between theiii arranged to curve'toward the back of the book as thecovers are closed and to' assume an opposite curve as the coversareopened; and means for protecting said leaves from abrasion as the covers are opened and closed.

12. In a book binding, two covers confiiected by a plurality of leaf holding springs,

means for simultaneously adjusting said springs' comprising a bai' guided to move toward and away from the binding edge of thecover and be--retaiiied in a position parllO allel to said binding edge and means conr prising a Worin and gear for moving and vmoving and locking said bar in position comprising a Worm.

14. In a book binding, a back, covers hinged to said back, leaf holding springs secured to said covers having an intermediate portion extending between said covers, and means for adjusting the length of such intermediate portion comprising a bar guided to move back and forth in one direction on one of said covers` and means for moving and `Alocking said bar in position comprising a bell crankhaving its long arm connected to said bar and its short arm provided With a gear meshing With a worm.

15. In a b'ook binding, a. back, covers hinged to said back, leaf holding springs se# cured to said covers having an intermediate portionextending between said covers, and means for simultaneously adjusting said springs comprising a bar guided in its move ment on'one of said covers and means for moving and locking said bar in position comprising a worm.

16. In a book binding, covers having a free binding edge, a back hinged to said covers some distance from their free binding edge; leaf holding strips secured to said covers and bridging the space between them, and the binding edge of said covers bent to exert' pressure' against the leaves in front of a line through said leaf holding strips.

17. In a book. binding, covers having a free binding edge, a back hinged to said covers some distance from their free binding edge; leaf holding strips secured to said covers and bridging the space between them; bearing strips mounted on said leaf holding strips; the binding edge of said covers arranged to exert pressure againstsaid bearing strips in front of a line through said leaf holding strips. l

18. In a book binding, the combination ofa back, covers hinged to said back, a leaf holding strip secured to said covers having an intermediate portion between said covers and the ends of said strip arranged to,s\ving With said covers so as to curve said intermediate portion toward said -back when the covers are closed andcurve itin an opposite ldirection when the covers are opened and means for adjusting the length of the in termediate portion of said strip Without displacing the covers or back.

19. In a book binding, the combination of a cover having its binding edge.bentup to en .igagc at angle the cover, g

in a been', the

ig flexibie connections With the covers l connectingV them, leaf holding strips, clicd to covers and bridging the vto one of said covers, to which said leaf holding strips are attached.

21. In a book binding, the combination of thc cover provided with an extending metal binding edge and a binding strip provided with a longitudinal angle arranged to engage thc binding edge of said cover.

22.Y In a hook binding, a cover and a binding strip provided with a longitudinal angle arranged to rest against the binding edge of said cover.

28. In a book binding, a cover, a leaf holding strip connected to the cover and a binding strip provided with a perforation to receive saidleaf holding strip arranged adjacent to the binding edge of the cover.

In a book binding, a cover, a leaf holding strip connected tothe cover and a binding strip provided with la perforation.

to receive said leaf holding strip and alongitudinal angle arranged to rest adjacent to the binding edge of said cover.

2. In a book binding, the combination of the cover provided with an extending metal edge, a leaf holding strip connected to said cover, and a binding strip provided with a perforation to receive said leaf holding strip and a longitudinal angle arranged to rest adjacent to the binding edge of said cover.

26. In a book binding. the combination of a pair of covers, one of which is provided with an internal recess or chamber; a back connecting the'covers, a laterally resilient leaf holding strip extending between said covers, movably connected to the cover rovided with the internal recess or cham er; leaves detachably connected to said strip; and means situated Within said recess or chamber arranged to be operated from the outside of said chamber without opening or uncovering the same, for pushing said strip into a bowed form above said leaves at any point at which said book maybe opened, without displacing the covers or back.

27. A loose-leaf binder comprising a curved resilient back, covers hinged thereto and fiexible sheet carrying tapes extending across the curved back and associated with means for adj ustably exerting endwise stress thereon to press the sides of the back toward ward and an angular binding strip arranged i each other, said tapes being made of such the binding edge of *l coii'ibination of the an im'crniediale connecting meansA thin flexible metal sheet-carrying tapes ex- .ing stress on the tapes and binding bars haveser/o stiffness as to assume a denite bowed form when the ends thereof are moved toward each other,v i "i 28. A loose-leaf binder curved, resilient bach, covers hinged thereto, sheet-carrying tapes extending across the curved baclr and attached to one of said coversa distance from the margin of said back, and a screw-threaded actuating device carried by the other cover for exerting endwise straining stress on said tapes.

29. A loose-leaf binder comprising a curved, resilient back, covers hinged thereto,

comprising a l tending .across said curved back and over. upon the covers, screw-threaded means for adj ustably exerting endwisc straining stress on said tapes, said tapes being connected at their ends to press the sides of the back toward each other when straining stress isV exerted on said tapes.

30.`A loose -leaf binder comprising a curved, resilient back, covers hinged thereto, thin flexible metal sheet-carrying tapes y connected with the covers aI distance outside of the side margins of the back and extending across the curved back, and a screwthreaded device for exerting endwise straining stress on said tapes.

31. A loose leaf binder comprising a curved, resilient back,` lcovers hinged thereto, `sheet-carrying tapes attached at their ends to one of said covers and extending across the curved back, a sliding bar having guiding engagement with the other cover, to which the other ends of said tapes are attached and a screw-threaded device for moving said bar toward and from said back.

32. A lloose -leaf binder comprising a curved resilient back, covers hinged thereto, sheet-carrying tapes extending across the curved back and attached at their ends to one of said covers, a cross bar to which the other ends of said ta es are attached, said cross bar having gui 'ing engagement with the other cover, and a screw-threaded shaft mounted in said latter cover for moving said bar toward and from the curved back, said cover being provided at its margin with an opening to receive the outer end of said shaft.

33. A loose -leaf binder curved, `resilient back, covers hinged thereto, sheet-bearing tapes extending across said curved back and attached to one of said. covers and connected with the other cover by means adapted toexert endwise straincomprising a ing openings through which said tapes extend and adapted to exert clamping pressure on the opposite sides of the stubs of the sheets carried by said tapes.

34. A loose-leaf binder comprisingl a curved, resilient baclecovers hinged thereto, sheet-bearing tapes extending across said curvedr back and attached to one'of said covers and connected with the other cover by means adap'tedlto exert endwise straining stress on the tapes, binding bars having openings through which said tapes extend and adapted to exert clamping pressure on the opposite sides of the stubs of the sheets carried by said tapes, and anges onv the inner margins of the covers for pressing the binding bars against the stub-ends of said sheet 35; A loose-leaf binder comprising a curved resilient back, covers, metal plates attached to the innermargins of said covers, overlapping hinge lugs on the inner margins of said plates and the side margins of the curved back, pintles extending through said hinge lugs, sheet-carrying tapes extending across the curved back and connected with the4 covers by means designed to exert adjustable. straining stress 'on the tapes, apertured binder bars through which said tapes extend, and flanges on the inner margins of the plates adapted to press said binder bars against the stub-ends of the sheets carried by said tapes. i

36. In a book 'binding the combination of Va pair of swinging covers, one of which is provided wit-h an internal recess or chamber, laterally resilient leaf holding strips connected to said covers with an inter.- mediate portion lying between said covers, arranged so'that the ends of said strips will swing in unison with said covers and Hex the intermediate portion of said strips toward the back of the boolevas the covers .are closed and in the opposite direction as the covers are opened and adjusting mechT anism for said strips situated wit-hin said recess or chamberl and arranged to be operated from the outside of the chamber without opening or uncovering the same.

37. In a. book binding, the combination of a pair of covers; an intermediate connecting means having flexible connections with sald covers and connecting them; a vlaterally resilient leaf holding strip extending between said covers; leaves detachably secured to said strips; and means mounted on one of said covers for pushing said strip into a bowedform, above said leaves at any point at which said book may be opened,

without displacing the -covers or'intermediate connecting means connecting them.

In testimony whereof I have signedmy name to this specification in the presence ofv two subscribing witnesses this9th day of March, 1905, at Chicago, Illinois.

WILLIAM S. PROUDFIT, J n. 

